Problem drinkers should be targeted says businessman

A parliamentary committee inquiry into alcohol and drug problems in Western Australia has heard the social impact of alcohol in the Kimberley has become worse in the last 30 years.

But it has also been told that alcohol restrictions throughout the entire Kimberley region would be unpopular.

Kimberley businessman Martin Peirson-Jones says restrictions introduced in Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing have shifted the problem to Broome and Kununurra and the community finds the restrictions divisive.

He says he would like to see measures, such as an alcohol entitlement card, introduced in order to identify problem drinkers.

Mr Peirson-Jones says legislation should also allow publicans to refuse service to a person who is a known alcoholic and has the potential of causing problems when drunk.

He told the Education and Health standing committee that publicans can only refuse service to a person who is already drunk.

The businessman also criticised the current system of welfare payments, saying they are handed out too freely with no strings attached and there should be the ability to quarantine money.